BY: Keith S. Shikowitz, Investigative Reporter
There is a saying that you should cherish every day because life is too short. This is never more evident than when a person is taken from us at an early age. Mark Woods Jr., Freshman Clarkstown Councilman was taken from us on May 17, 2024, at the age of 54.
Approximately 200 people, including politicians, former military, former and current and former NYC Police officers, as well as family and friends attended the services for Woods at St. Francis of Assisi Church in West Nyack on May 28, 2024.
Woods served in the Army, as a NYC Police officer and detective. He was a Civil War buff and General Ulysses S. Grant was his favorite. He took many trips to Gettysburg and even wore his replica of Grant’s uniform there at times, even though while the battle of Gettysburg was being fought, Grant was laying siege to Vicksburg Mississippi.
Five people spoke about Woods and his life. His sister Maria Kansy was the first to speak. She focused her comments on their marathon text messaging sessions rather than going over their childhood. Although she did relay one. “When we were about nine or ten, I would be the first one down in the kitchen and I would make myself breakfast. He would come down a little later and make himself the same exact breakfast that I was eating, day after day. Finally, I screamed at him, ‘Why do you eat exactly the same thing I eat every morning?!’ His answer was, ‘This way I don’t have to think about what I am going to have for breakfast because you’ve already made the decision for me.’ I couldn’t argue with that answer, and I learned very quickly that it would be very difficult to win an argument with my brother.”
His cousin John Worthington had people laughing from the start of his statement. He introduced himself by his name and then three of many nicknames he said he had growing up. He spoke of Woods’ sense of humor stating, “He always had a smirk about him and a look in his eyes that says he knows the joke and he is the only one who is in on it and he knows what’s coming next.” Worthington told about the forty Yankee games a year they used to go to and how one time they tried to get into George Steinbrenner’s office because he had a World Series trophy.
Childhood friend David Issac focused on his service to the country and community. If you look at any stage in Mark’s life, you’ll see the same man, a servant leader with an unmatched depth of care. Limitless empathy, capacity to help others and a quick-witted sense of humor.” Isaac quoted a number of his military and school friends. One of his military friends in the mechanized unit said, He was the most honorable leader I served in the army.”
Clarkstown Town Supervisor George Hoehmann mentioned that he had met Woods about five years ago and they got to know each other in Woods’ role with the county Veterans’ Services office. “He also appeared as a guest on my television show, and we connected immediately. He often spoke with me about doing a podcast which is something that we talked about doing in the future. We would meet for coffee or lunch and each time we met I would learn something new and amazing about Mark’s life and career.”
He continued about Mark’s short tenure on the Clarkstown Council and his many contributions to the town.
He told of Woods’ caring for others, his work to help a homeless veteran and a friendship he developed with two constituents during the campaigning, showing the kind of person he was.
Hoehmann called Woods the consummate public servant with a servant’s heart from the military to the police to local government. “He was a soldier, police officer and an avid military historian, a licensed funeral director, and an adjunct professor.”
Hoehmann went on to explain that Woods accomplished all of this while fighting his PTSD from his military service and was a family man who was concerned on how his public service in government would affect his family. He even had a long conversation with Hoehmann’s daughter about the topic asking her advice. “In typical fashion, all Mark told me was that he had a nice conversation with my daughter. That said, that’s the kind of man Mark was. A man with a gigantic heart, a deep love for life, friends and family. Mark was a true light in the world that often pierced the dark.” He concluded by saying, “Rest in peace Mark. We’ll never forget you.”
The final speaker of the evening was Woods’ wife Jeanne. She began by making the attendees laugh. “Shh. Do you hear that? It’s Mark. He’s saying, enough of the talking already, these people want to eat.”
She thanked everyone for being there, stating that without them she would not be able to be standing there. We all know how amazing mark was. We know how passionately he loved. He loved America. He loved New York City. He loved the NYPD. He loved the veterans, and he loved our adopted home Clarkstown. But more than anything, he loved his family. He loved his recently deceased father. He loved his mother, he loved his sister, he loved his children, and he loved me.”
She spoke of his love for video games and the UFC. “He would go to many events where he felt the need to purchase me this.” She bent down and pulled out a gigantic gold colored chain with a UFC logo hanging off of it.
Continuing she said that when you bring together a Brooklyn Italian boy and an Irish Bronx girl, things can get a little feisty. She told of characters that Mark liked and often imitated. “But his favorite character of all time was General Ulysses S. Grant as you saw when you entered the church. Mark had a full Grant costume, complete with sword. He wore it around the house. He even wore it to Gettysburg, even though Grant was never at Gettysburg, and he wore it while walking around West Point as if he were a ghost from 1839, traumatizing the future leaders of the United States Army.”
His newest character she went on to explain was a Roman Legionnaire. “This one was only brought out on March 15. The Ides of March.” She pulled out a plastic Roman Legionnaire’s helmet and put it on to the laughter of the attendees.
Jeanne concluded by saying, “Mark was incredible. He was invincible. Mark is in a better place and he will be missed. I’ll love you forever my love.”
The service ended with the NYPD officers draping the NYPD flag over the casket and carrying Mark out to the waiting hearse for interment to the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” playing in the background.
